Williams Landing entrepreneur, engineer, writer and speaker Sibonginkosi Abigail Moyo has published her first book, Welcome to Africa: Titambire, which is about her journey as an immigrant and her roots from Zimbabwe and Africa. She chats with Alesha Capone.
What was the inspiration behind your book?
When growing up, I was a journaling kind of girl, I always kept diaries. I completed my Year 12 equivalent in Zimbabwe and then I studied abroad in New York for four years. Everyone I met said, ‘You speak English so well, but you have an accent, where did you grow up?’ The same questions followed me here, to Australia. I kept having the same kind of conversations. I had an epiphany about three years ago that I should write a book. I used my time in lockdown to write the book.
What did you enjoy about writing Welcome to Africa: Titambire?
I think what I liked about writing the book is that I did more research into the history of Zimbabwe and Africa, such as into colonial history, the Bantu migration and I learned a lot more about ancient Africa and the Nubian kingdom. I’ve been an immigrant in what we call diaspora for over a decade, and I also hope I am motivating people to share their story as well.
Are there any facts about Africa that you think a some people would not know?
Sudan had more pyramids than Egypt. In my language, Shona (one of Zimbabwe’s official languages), a lot of the words are identical to Swahili words.
Also, as a young person, why did you decide to become an engineer?
I think I was an ambitious child, I wanted to be an astronaut, a pilot, president. I did STEM courses at high school. My parents said I would be a good doctor, but I was attracted to studying engineering. I competed a bachelor of science in industrial engineering and a masters in engineering management.
You have also co-founded the not-for-profit Love Alive Foundation, which helps vulnerable children in Zimbabwe with education and opportunities?
I started the foundation with a friend, who is also a patron, and a family member, my sister. For me and my sister, our parents raised us that way, we grew up visiting orphanages and aged care places. My brother once had his birthday at an orphanage, my family was always making us aware of the importance of knowing about the plight of others and the importance of helping out and being kind. I had the idea since I was a teenager, I always wanted to start a not-for-profit organisation. For me, what I love about it is that it allows me to collaborate with others. To be honest, it is a lot of work, but it is shared work, which is beautiful. In writing my book, part of the sales will go back to helping the foundation to become more sustainable.
Would you like to add anything else?
I’m also a Rotarian of Wyndham Harbour.
Details: sibomoyo.com/
